More stories

  • in

    Tyson Fury shows off incredible throwback snap with wife Paris leaving fans in shock at the boxer’s curly hair

    TYSON FURY has stunned fans with a throwback picture of him with long curly hair.The WBC heavyweight champion has made the shaven head look his own in recent years – particularly since returning from his long lay-off in 2018.
    Tyson shared this picture of him and Paris on social mediaCredit: Instagram @parisfury1
    These days Tyson rocks the shaven head and beard lookCredit: instagram
    But back in the early stages of his career, The Gypsy King looked very different with a full head of hair.
    And earlier this year he shared a snap from years back alongside the caption: “Happy Mother’s Day.”
    Tyson and Paris have been together since they were both teenagers.
    They now have six children together after welcoming daughter Athena into the world last August.
    READ MORE IN SPORT
    They are also parents to Prince John James, Venezuela, Prince Tyson Fury II, Prince Adonis Amaziah and Valencia Amber.
    Meanwhile, Paris showed off her toned stomach and denied claims that she was pregnant with a seventh child.
    Retired boxer Carl Froch had hinted that Paris and husband Tyson were set to welcome another addition to their family.
    Fury retained his belt after a comprehensive KO victory over Dillian Whyte in April.
    He initially retired after the bout but is plotting a sensational comeback fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
    Most read in Boxing
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    Fury is also set to appear at WWE’s Clash at the Castle in Cardiff on Saturday, according to reports.
    Fury will reportedly be in Cardiff this weekend for Wrestlefest before making an appearance at Clash of the Castle.
    But the heavyweight champion is unlikely to be involved in a match and may just be revealed to the crowd. More

  • in

    Transfer deadline day: Sex toys, duff deals and Jim White… 7 reasons we love the last day of the window

    Fire up the fax machine! It’s nearly transfer deadline day!Will your club snap up a bargain before the window slams shut?
    Nothing screams deadline day more than Sky Sports’ huge timer
    Jim White and Natalie Sawyer’s co-ordination was a sight to behold back in the day
    Will they land that striker they desperately need?
    And will any television reporter have a sex toy shoved in their ear like Sky Sports’ Alan Irwin did back in 2017?
    All these questions and more will be answered before 11pm tomorrow night.
    In the meantime, here’s why we love transfer deadline day…
    1) THE ENDLESS RUMOURS…
    In this day and age, where social media is all-powerful, it only takes someone to tweet about a bloke who looks a bit like Lionel Messi in a B&Q in Huddersfield and the rumour mill goes into overdrive.
    Tall bloke with a ponytail seen buying a jumbo sausage roll at Charnock Richard services?
    Andy Carroll on his way to Wigan, obviously.
    Man with hairband spotted buying an Italian phrasebook in WH Smith?
    Jeff Hendrick’s off then.
    Most Read In Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    2) THE DEALS THAT DON’T GO THROUGH
    It’s always enjoyable to see a deal collapse, especially if it’s a player your team’s rivals have been banking on.
    It could be a problem with the paperwork as it was with David De Gea’s failed move to Real Madrid in 2015.
    It could be missing the deadline by mere seconds, like Leicester did with Adrien Silva five years ago.
    The midfielder couldn’t play for the Foxes for six months after they handed in documents for his signing 14 seconds late.
    Or it could be just getting the wrong end of the stick, as Peter Odemwingie did when he turned up to sign for QPR in January 2013 only for the club to refuse him entry to the car park.
    Peter Odemwingie took matters into his own hands to try and secure a move
    Adrien Silva was not allowed to play for Leicester for six months after his paperwork went through lateCredit: Getty
    ​Footballer laughs off failed transfer and says a move is called an ‘Odemwingie’
    3) THE 11TH HOUR MADNESS!
    If you believe everything you read, hear and see as transfer deadline day comes to its dramatic conclusion, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s like some Hollywood action movie.
    Players fly across the country in choppers.
    We’ve had our eyes glued to flight trackers to see if any players are on the moveCredit: Flight Radar 24
    Agents pull strings and call in favours.
    Megabucks offers and counter-offers are thrown this way and that.
    And everyone is frantically trying to make deals happen.
    Even though they’ve had a whole month to do it.4) THE DEALS GET EVER MORE COMPLICATED…
    Undisclosed fees. Release clauses. Swap deals. Money plus player. And we’ll chuck in Asmir Begovic.
    As the deals that become more complex, so the use of clichés increases exponentially.
    Snags, stumbling blocks and sticking points.
    Bids being hijacked.
    Price tags being ‘slapped’ on players.
    Dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.
    And yes, I’ll be using all of them – and more – on transfer deadline day.

    5) THE LAUGH-A-MINUTE LATE SHIFT FOR TV REPORTERS…
    It’s cold. It’s dark. And you’ve got to stand in car park at a training ground in the middle of nowhere giving live updates on a transfer that nobody really cares about.
    If you’re lucky you have may have some news to report.
    If you’re unlucky, like Sky Sports’ Irwin, you may have some company.
    Or Mark McAdam too, who once had a sex doll shoved in his face.
    Sky Sports News presenters have had it tough in previous yearsCredit: SKY SPORTS
    One presenter had a sex toy dangled in his faceCredit: SKY SPORTS
    Sky Sports News presenter is hit with a dildo on transfer deadline day in 2014
    6) THOSE AWKWARD NEW SIGNING INTERVIEWS…
    If you’re playing Transfer Deadline Day Bingo make sure you keep an eye out for the player that leaves a big club for what is clearly a smaller one and tells the press that when he “heard that Watford were in for me it was a no-brainer.”
    Nailed-on to happen, you watch.
    7) YOU CAN WATCH SKY SPORTS NEWS ALL DAY…
    And never once take a moment to question how your life’s panned out as you read about Coventry City’s pursuit of an Estonian striker (with a name you can’t pronounce) scroll across your screen for the 18,000th time that day.
    Legendary presenter Jim White built a reputation for his epic stints on our screens for what seems like every deadline day in memory.
    And although he left Sky last year, White is still going strong on talkSPORT.
    But who could forget that iconic yellow tie? More

  • in

    Inside Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke’s £500m ranch, largest in the USA and bigger than New York and LA combined

    ARSENAL and Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke is worth an incredible £8.7BILLION and has a property portfolio to match.The American sports tycoon and his Walmart heiress wife purchased the United States’ largest ranch in 2016 and it’s so big you could fit the entire cities of New York and Los Angeles inside its borders.
    The W.T Waggoner Ranch is the largest in the USA
    The estate in Texas stretches over a staggering 535,000 acres
    Kroenke paid £500m for the land in 2016
    New York City AND Los Angeles would both fit inside its borders
    At a whopping 535,000 acres, the W.T Waggoner Ranch in Texas was bought by Kroenke and his wife Ann Walton for a cool £500million.
    The ranch includes thousands of cattle, hundreds of horses and oil wells, and 30,000 acres of farmland.
    The 75-year-old billionaire’s company Kroenke Sports and Entertainment owns Arsenal and cut 55 jobs during the pandemic due to financial issues at Emirates Stadium.
    He also owns Super bowl winning NFL side LA Rams, NBA team Denver Nuggets, NHL franchise Colorado Avalanche and MLS side Colorado Rapids.
    And he has invested billions of dollars into the construction of the 70,000-seat SoFI Stadium in Inglewood, California.
    When he secured the ranch in 2016, Kroenke said: “This is an incredible opportunity and an even greater responsibility.
    MOST READ IN FOOTBALL

    Kroenke said he was honoured to protect the American landmark when he bought the ranch in 2016. “We are honoured to assume ownership of the Waggoner – a true Texas and American landmark – and are deeply committed to continuing the proud legacy of W.T. “Tom” Waggoner, his family and his descendants.
    “Our gratitude to them and to the many parties involved in this process is immense. We will continue to preserve and protect this uniquely American treasure.”
    Kroenke is a divisive figure at Arsenal and in 2019 Gunners fans issued a joint statement calling on him to reinvigorate the club.
    The statement said supporters had “never felt more marginalized”. The club then sacked Unai Emery and hired Mikel Arteta.
    Kroenke is married to Ann, whose father Bud was an early partner in Walmart, which was founded by his brother Sam.
    In 2012, Kroenke bought another historic property, the 124,000-acre Broken O Ranch in Montana.
    He also owns ranches in Wyoming, Arizona and British Columbia.
    New York City could fit inside the ranch’s border
    And Los Angeles could still fit alongside NYC within the boundaries
    The ranch comes with 30,000 acres of farmland
    Agricultural machinery is seen across the gigantic swathes of land
    Oil wells are also dotted across the property in Northern Texas
    Picturesque stone outhouses also feature on the land
    Kroenke’s estate stretches as far as the eye can see More

  • in

    Alexander Isak’s family fled war-torn Eritrea for a new life in Sweden, now he’s Newcastle’s new £60m record transfer

    IN 2018, Alexander Isak went on a discovery mission.The 22-year-old Newcastle star, who shone for Sweden at Euro 2020 last year, travelled to Eritrea in East Africa.
    Alexander Isak joined Newcastle this summerCredit: Getty
    Isak visited Eritrea, where his parents fled because of a long civil warCredit: Instagram @alex_isak
    Sweden ace Alexander Isak starred for his country at Euro 2020Credit: Getty
    There, he took in his surroundings, visited a football school and tried to get a better understanding of his roots.
    Years earlier, his mum and dad left war-torn Eritrea in search of a better life.
    They emigrated to Solna, a suburb outside of Stockholm, where Isak was born.
    It was there where the forward, who has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was moulded into the promising youngster he is today – with Newcastle splashing out a club-record £63million to sign him this summer.
    Read More Football Stories
    BACK TO ERITREA
    Four years ago, Isak was invited to Eritrea by Ambassador Zemede Tekle, the Commissioner of Culture and Sports of the country.
    He had been back briefly as a young kid, but not since his epic rise in the game.
    Although he grew up as a Swede, the 6ft 4in striker has always been loyal to his Eritrean culture.
    During his stay, he took in a grass-root projects in Asmara before watching a game between aspiring footballers at a local stadium.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Isak was born and bred a Swede, but is steeped in Eritrean cultureCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Ambassador Zemede Tekle, the Commissioner of Culture and Sports of Eritrea, poses with Isak during his visit to the countryCredit: Instagram @alex_isak
    Isak was impressed with what he saw, and it reminded him of his own upbringing.
    “I like that the kids are training and building their future,” he revealed.
    “I did the same when I was young; we were many kids on the same pitch. This is an interesting project and it’s nice to see where the kids develop and be guided.”
    MOULDED IN SWEDEN
    In the 1980s, his father Teame, a teacher, wanted a brighter future for his prospective family.
    Eritrea was embroiled in a long civil war that was fought between competing organisations for the country’s liberation.
    Teame and his wife decided it was time to leave their country behind, and they were welcomed to Sweden with open arms.
    Alexander was born in 1999 in Solna, where he ended up training with local team AIK aged six.
    There he encountered coach Nahom Ghidey, who also came from an Eritrean background.
    Eritrea endured a long civil war that was fought between competing organisations for the country’s liberationCredit: EPA
    Nahom Ghidey was Isak’s favourite coach and they shared a special bond over their Eritrean origin
    “We had a special bond, because we are both of Eritrean origin,” Ghidey said.
    “Eritreans are proud, strong and patriotic people, and that background was influential. His father, Teame, is a teacher and Alexander has always received a lot of love and support from his family.”
    BREAKTHROUGH AT AIK
    At the tender age of 16-year-old Isak made his breakthrough with AIK – making his debut in 2016 in a Swedish Cup tie.
    He would score in his 15-minute cameo, and later would become the youngest scorer for AIK in league history at the age of 16 years and 199 days by netting against Östersunds FK in a 2-0 win.
    On his 17th birthday, a double against AIK’s arch-rivals Djurgårdens IF saw former team-mate Chinedu Obasi pay him the ultimate compliment, albeit with some pressure put on his young shoulders.
    “(He’s) Sweden’s new Zlatan Ibrahimović”, Obasi declared in an appraisal that alerted Europe’s top clubs.
    It was only expected that Isak would move on for a bigger challenge.
    Isak celebrates scoring for AIK aged 16 years and 199 daysCredit: Getty
    Isak has been compared to Sweden legend Zlatan IbrahimovicCredit: EPA
    WELCOME TO DORTMUND
    In 2017, Isak was signed by Borussia Dortmund – a club renowned for rearing the stars of tomorrow.
    The transfer was said to have cost around £8million – a record fee received by an Allsvenskan club.
    Before he joined the Bundesliga giants, it was reported that he turned down Real Madrid.
    “I had some offers on the table but thought Dortmund was the right place for me to develop as a young player,” he explained.
    “I want to make the next step, get some playing time and hopefully help the team.”
    But Isak found it difficult to settle in North Rhine-Westphalia in his two years at the club, who went through four managers during his time there.
    In 2017 Isak moved to Borussia Dortmund and it was supposed to be the making of himCredit: Getty – Contributor
    However, he failed to impress coaches including Thomas TuchelCredit: Getty
    Thomas Tuchel, Peter Bosz, Peter Stoger and Lucien Favre all favoured other strikers and Isak found himself further down the pecking order, before he was demoted to the reserves playing against fourth tier opposition.
    He needed a change.
    REVITALISED IN NETHERLANDS
    In early 2019, desperate for first team football, Isak was loaned out to Dutch side Willem II.
    It was in the Netherlands where he found his swagger again.
    He helped the club reach the Dutch cup final for the first time since 2005 by scoring the equaliser and then the winning penalty against AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals.
    And he broke some records along the way. He became the first player ever to score three penalties in an Eredivisie match, in a 3–2 win against Fortuna Sittard.
    Then, he became the first foreign-born player in the Eredivisie to score 12 goals in his first 12 league games.
    In a loan spell with Dutch side Willem II Isak rediscovered his formCredit: Getty
    Isak became the first foreign-born player in the Eredivisie to score 12 goals in his first 12 league gamesCredit: Getty
    LALIGA STAR
    Real Sociedad took a punt on Isak after Dortmund made him surplus to requirements ahead of the 2019-20 season.
    A transfer fee of £9million was enough to twist the Germans’ arm, and he signed a five-year deal worth a reported £19,000-a-week at the Estadio de Anoeta.
    It’s in LaLiga where he has continued to impress. In his first season, he earned the plaudits for scoring twice and creating another in a 3-1 win over Real Madrid in a Copa del Rey quarter-final.
    Three days after that coming-of-age performance, he scored a winner in the in the Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao – earning the adulation of the fans.
    More joy would follow – collecting his first piece of silverware in his debut campaign, again at the expense of Athletic Bilbao, who Sociedad beat in the Copa del Rey final 1-0.
    Isak celebrates winning the Copa del ReyCredit: Instagram @alex_isak
    Isak played for Real Sociedad before his Toon switchCredit: Getty
    The following season, Isak was more prolific with 17 LaLiga goals to his name, as the finishing aspect to his game has developed.
    There was another record broken too. In a 4-0 win over Deportivo Alaves, Isak became the first Swedish player to score a LaLiga hat-trick since Henry “Garvis” Carlsson did the same for Atletico Madrid in 1949.
    Now that he has made the move to the Premier League, expect this brilliant youngster to break even more records. More

  • in

    Man Utd’s worst XI of 21st century includes Bebe, Di Maria and Alexis Sanchez but is Van de Beek in the team?

    FOR all their success this century, Manchester United have also endured their fair share of flops in the transfer market.The latest player who has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford is Dutch international Donny van de Beek.
    Donny van de Beek has struggled since his arrival at Man Utd last summerCredit: PA
    He joined United from Ajax in August 2020 in a £35million but failed to become a first team regular before being farmed out on loan to Everton last season.
    He has now returned but is still only being used as an impact substitute despite reuniting with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
    However, does Van de Beek’s disappointing spell earn him a spot in United’s worst XI of the 21st Century?
    The United End’s Tom McDermott tells us below as he picks his very own team of Red Devils flops.
    Anders Lindegaard 
    Lindegaard spent five seasons at the club, but they were largely forgettable, supporting Edwin van der Sar and David de Gea.
    On reflection, Lindegaard wasn’t a bad ‘keeper but lacked the composure and experience to hold down the No1 jersey on a permanent basis.  
    Most read in Football
    Alexander Buttner 
    Buttner was described by Sir Alex Ferguson as “one of the best young left-backs in Europe” when he signed in 2012, and was part of the title winning squad in 2013.
    After Ferguson’s retirement though, he’s drifted to some of the lesser known teams in the football world. 
    Marcos Rojo failed to impress at Old Trafford and spent most of the time sidelinedCredit: Getty
    Marcos Rojo 
    How Rojo survived at United for so long, I’ll never know.
    Signed by Louis van Gaal in 2014, the versatile defender spent more time in the treatment room and sidelines than on the pitch.
    When he did play, he struggled to cope with the rhythm of the English game.  
    Guillermo Varela 
    David Moyes’ first transfer as Manchester United manager was the unknown Uruguayan.
    Varela was signed after impressing both with his home club, Penarol, and in the South American youth championships.
    In hindsight it was probably a step he couldn’t handle. 
    Bebe 
    In 2010, United spent £7.4m to sign Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, otherwise known as Bebe.
    Bebe was recommended to Ferguson by his former assistant Carlos Queiroz, with the Scot later admitting that he hadn’t seen him play.
    Given the criticism he received, he did go on to have a reasonable career in Spain.  
    Sir Alex Ferguson signed Bebe without even watching him playCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    Morgan Schneiderlin 
    Schneiderlin played over 30 times for United, but I can’t remember one single appearance.
    Joining after several impressive years at Southampton, it always felt like the club was too big for him.
    Struggled from the day he arrived.  
    Kleberson 
    The Brazil World Cup winner just edges out Eric Djemba-Djemba.
    Kleberson joined at the same time as Cristiano Ronaldo and after some decent early showings completely lost his way.
    It was never going to be easy competing with Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt for a starting spot.
    Latest Man Utd News
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Wilfried Zaha 
    Zaha was Ferguson’s last signing at the club and immediately loaned back to Palace which meant he never worked under United’s greatest manager.
    Moyes was left to pick up the pieces, but Zaha wasn’t the polished attacker he is today.
    Wilfried Zaha was hardly given a chance at Man UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Memphis Depay 
    Right player, wrong time.
    Depay has rebuilt his career well but lacked the maturity at United to establish himself properly.
    If he had joined under Ferguson’s leadership and given more time, he may well have flourished.   
    United’s Worst XI of the 21st Century
    Angel Di Maria 
    Great excitement when he joined but he never really wanted to be there in the first place.
    Off-field problems didn’t help, but Di Maria and United were just never meant to be.
    Fans let him know how special he was to them when he returned with Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
    Alexis Sanchez 
    What a disaster. Similar to Di Maria in that you got the impression that he never really wanted to be at the club.
    Left for Inter and won Serie A with them, but his days as a world class forward have not been seen since his time at Arsenal.
    Alexis Sanchez had an undoubted nightmare at Old TraffordCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Cristiano Ronaldo health and fitness secrets at 37 with diet plan featuring swordfish, chicken and five naps per day

    CRISTIANO RONALDO is in twilight years of his career – but still looks as fit as ever on and off the pitch.And Manchester United fans saw the fruits of his labours in his second spell at Old Trafford, with the superstar scoring 24 goals in 39 games across all competitions in his first season back.
    Ronaldo’s incredible diet revealed
    CR7 re-joined the Red Devils from Juventus for £12.8m last summer.
    But his second spell at Old Trafford could last just 12 months with Ronaldo hoping for a move away in search of Champions League football.
    The Red Devils finished sixth in the Premier League last term, despite CR7’s goals, and will play in Europe’s second tier competition this season.
    The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also beat Ali Daei’s international goal record scoring his 111th for Portugal and has added six more onto his milestone.
    But behind the scenes it takes a lot of hard work.
    From his diet, to exercise routine to sleep and rest, Ronaldo leads the most disciplined of lifestyles.
    He can eat up to SIX meals a day, with fish a big part of his diet.
    MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Fish and salad form an integral part of Cristiano Ronaldo’s dietCredit: Instagram
    Ronaldo describes chicken as his ‘magic food’
    Swordfish, tuna and braised cod are particular favourites.
    He regards chicken as ‘magical’ due to its high protein and low fat content.
    For breakfast Ronaldo will eat ham and cheese and low-fat yoghurt.
    If he doesn’t have it for brekkie, the Manchester United star will wolf down avocado toast for snacks during the day.
    Lunch No1 could consist of chicken and salad, while No2 might be fish – maybe tuna with salad, eggs and olives.
    Dinner will see the football legend fill his boots with meat or fish, maybe breaking them up in two separate sittings.
    The Man Utd striker concentrates on his core fitness that gives him a body of a 20-something year oldCredit: Instagram @cristiano
    The legendary footballer is a big fan of swimming, which he will often do with his son Cristiano JrCredit: Instagram @cristiano
    FIVE NAPS PER DAY
    Steak, swordfish or the Lisbon speciality of Bacalao a la Brasa – a mixture of braised cod, onions, thinly sliced potatoes and scrambled eggs should see him through till bedtime.
    Once tucked up, Ronaldo will ensure he has eight hours of sleep each night.
    That’s in addition to FIVE naps he will take during the day.
    Speaking about rest, the Portuguese superstar said: “Proper sleep is really important for getting the most out of training.
    “I go to bed early and get up early, especially before matches. Sleep helps muscles recover which is really important.”
    Clearly the gym and intense exercise is a huge part of Ronaldo’s life – as shown by his incredible muscle definition and speedy recovery from injury.
    The forward follows a Pilates-based routine that focuses on resistance work to strengthen his core.
    Ronaldo insists rest and sleep are essential for leading the healthiest life possibleCredit: Instagram @cristiano
    The Portuguese international may be 37, but is still in the shape of his lifeCredit: Instagram @cristiano
    LOVES SWIMMING
    He is also a big fan of swimming, often taking to the pool with son Cristiano Jr.
    For all his niggles and knocks sustained on the football pitch, Ronaldo invested in a £50,000 Cryotherapy chamber.
    Standing in the chamber for around three minutes, liquid nitrogen freezes Ronaldo to between minus 160 and minus 200 degrees Celsius.
    Cryotherapy beats muscle soreness and reduces swelling, inflammation or sprains.
    But Ronaldo puts mental health alongside physical health as being key to being happy on the pitch as well as off it.
    This involves spending quality time with his family – partner Georgina Rodriguez and his five children Cristiano Jr, twins Mateo and Eva Maria, Alana Martina and Bella Esmeralda.
    The superstar said: “Mental strength is just as important as physical strength.
    “Training and physical sessions are most important, but living a relaxed lifestyle helps you to be the best you can be, physically and mentally.
    “I spend my free time with family and friends, which keeps me relaxed and in a positive mindset.”
    And the final secret behind Ronaldo’s supreme physical condition – no alcohol.
    He has been teetotal since at least 2005 – not only because of the adverse affects on his diet, but also because his father’s death when Ronaldo was 20 was alcohol related.
    The Manchester United man leads the most disciplined of life off the pitchCredit: Instagram @cristiano More

  • in

    Cristiano Ronaldo ‘got Real Madrid youngster Manu Hernando axed’ for flooring now-Man United star in training

    MANCHESTER UNITED ace Cristiano Ronaldo got former Real Madrid youngster Manu Hernando axed for flooring the Portuguese superstar in a training session, according to reports in Spain.The Spanish 24-year-old was never called into a first-team training session again after taking out the Bernabeu legend four years ago.

    Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly banished a Real Madrid youngster for flooring him in trainingCredit: AP:Associated Press
    In the final stretch of the 2017-18 season, Zinedine Zidane’s side were going strong in the Champions League despite struggling in LaLiga.
    A routine training session was taking place at Valdebebas when the Frenchman split his squad into two teams for small practice games.
    All hell broke loose when Ronaldo and Hernando both went to pounce on a loose ball.
    According to a 2020 Marca report, the Real academy starlet arrived late and his challenge sent the Portuguese ace crashing to the ground.
    Ronaldo reportedly let rip at Hernando, who held his hands up and apologised, and so the game continued.
    That would be his final session with the first-team as boss Zidane never called on him to participate again.
    most read in football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Ronaldo left the following summer for Juventus after nine years at Real, during which time he won LaLiga twice, the Champions League four times and the Copa del Rey twice.
    In January 2020, Hernando went out on loan to Racing Santander where he became a regular starter, before spending last term at SD Ponferradina in the Spanish second tier.
    He was released at the end of last season before being snapped up by Portuguese side Tondela.
    Ronaldo, meanwhile, enjoyed three years at Juve, before returning to Manchester United last summer.
    But Ronaldo’s return to Man Utd has been far from rosey.
    The 37-year-old wants out of Old Trafford after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League last season.
    Ronaldo was benched, alongside club captain Harry Maguire, for United’s 2-1 win over rivals Liverpool. More

  • in

    Fighters who have called out Jake Paul, from Nate Diaz to female boxing world champ Claressa Shields

    JAKE PAUL has put the fight world on notice with his brash arrogance and unlimited self-confidence. Paul has now beaten AnEsonGib, Nate Robinson, Ben Askren, and UFC star Tyron Woodley TWICE.
    Jake Paul has won all of his pro fightsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    And the thunder he appears to be stealing from boxing and MMA’s top attractions has irked several of them.
    Paul has made it clear his intention is to eventually fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor – with the duo’s teams ‘constantly’ in talks.
    While he was set to take on Tommy Fury before the ex-Love Island contestant dropped out due to visa issues.
    Here’s a look at some of those who claimed to want a piece of the YouTuber.
    READ MORE SPORT STORIES
    Dillon Danis, Bellator welterweight
    If Paul, 25, can’t get hold of McGregor, the next best thing would be his close friend and training partner Danis, 29.
    The pair have been going back-and-forth and confronted each other on the streets of LA earlier last year.
    After Paul’s win over Robinson, he said: “There’s a long list of opponents that I want – Conor McGregor, Dillon Danis. I’m going to knock them both out.”
    Danis’ Bellator promoter Scott Coker confirmed the fight talks: “Those conversations are ongoing, and have been happening.”
    And Danis made another dig at Paul, tweeting a photo of plenty of available seats for Paul’s second fight against Woodley alongside the message: “damn @jakepaul thought you sold out arena’s 😂”.
    Dillon Danis pictured with Conor McGregor
    Most read in Boxing
    Claressa Shields, 3-weight women’s champion
    Shields, 27, who made her MMA debut kast year in the PFL, told TMZ she would more than welcome a mixed-gender showdown with Paul.
    She said: “I, Claressa Shields, will whoop Jake Paul’s ass.
    “He can come in the ring weighing 180lb and I will come weighing 168 and I will beat the s**t out of him.”
    Paul responded in a tweet: “Don’t get me started about @Claressashields.”

    Amanda Nunes, UFC featherweight champion
    Having grown tired of Paul’s online callouts of McGregor, UFC president White told TMZ Sports: “I’m thinking of letting Amanda Nunes knock his ass out.”
    To which Nunes, 34, responded: “I’m in! @ufc @danawhite.”
    Paul later remarked on Instagram: “You say you don’t want me to fight Conor McGregor because he’s one of the greatest fighters in the world, and I’m just a YouTuber or whatever.
    “But then, in a statement today, you say, ‘Oh, I’m thinking about having Amanda Nunes just knock him out,’ but she’s also one of the greatest fighters?”

    Kamaru Usman, UFC welterweight champion and p4p No1
    UFC pound-for-pound No1 Kamaru Usman offered Jake Paul a chilling warning during a back and forth between the pair.
    He said: “I understand you think this is a game which is probably why you don’t realize that this is how people truly get hurt.
    “I don’t play fighting and I can change your life in the worst way.”
    Iron Mike Tyson is behind the match-up, telling Henry Cejudo on his podcast: “I want to see that s**t.
    “It’s going to be so much f**king money, how can he turn it down?
    “That’s way more money than… it’s twice or three times as much money [than he earns] in the UFC. So, how could he turn it down?”
    P4P No1 Kamaru Usman offered Jake Paul a chilling warningCredit: Getty
    Nate Diaz, UFC welterweight
    The UFC veteran surprisingly leaped to the defence of his former rival McGregor, after Paul called him an ‘Irish c***’ and disrespected his fiancee Dee Devlin.
    Diaz tweeted: “Jake Paul u need your ass beat for free u spoiled f*** u can’t really fight dumbs*** your gonna end up with your ass whooped for real somewhere talking like that.”
    Paul fired back by telling Diaz ‘I really beat your boy up’ in a sparring session relating to the UFC star’s training partner.
    He later tweeted Diaz: ‘You can get the smoke too’.
    The legendary MMA star from Stockton, California is set to have his hands full, however, with a blockbuster bout at 170lbs against Dustin Poirier potentially in the works.

    Henry Cejudo, ex-UFC champion
    Tyson’s pal Cejudo announced a shock UFC retirement in 2020 – but appears open to crossing over to boxing.
    And he was left less than impressed with Paul’s KO over Robinson and claimed he would give his fight purse to charity if the YouTuber beat him.
    Cejudo, 35, tweeted: “Yo @jakepaul since you really think you’re a legit fighter by beating up on retired NBA D lister’s who really deserves an academy award for best fall.
    “How about we fight and if I can’t stop you I’ll give all money to charity of your choice.”
    Yo @jakepaul since you really think your a legit fighter by beating up on retired NBA D lister’s who really deserves a academy award for best fall. How about we fight and if I can’t stop you I’ll give all money to charity of your choice. #dontbescaredhomie 🖊 📄 pic.twitter.com/cLXKxLtNuY— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 6, 2020

    Antonio Tarver, retied boxing legend
    Tarver called on Mike Tyson to set up a fight between him and Paul.
    He has not fought since 2015, but would come out of retirement to stop the new age of outsiders venturing into the ring.
    Tarver, 53, wrote on Instagram: “I really want to kick @jakepaul ass for what he did to @naterobinson last night and rid boxing of these clowns once and for all.
    “He fought a complete novice so fighting me shouldn’t be a problem… @miketyson make this fight.” More